The Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance was proud to stand with Chief Robert Gladstone, at the Chilliwack Courthouse on Feb. 15/18 to defend the right of First Nations to hold the sacred First Salmon Ceremony. The local Sto:lo chief was charged March 2015 with contravening the Fisheries Act by catching one salmon for the ceremony during a closed season, despite the Supreme Court of Canada Sparrow decision which asserted that Aboriginal rights, such as fishing, that were in existence in 1982 are protected under the Constitution of Canada. We have learned that others, including a fisherman from Kwantlen First Nation, have also been charged by DFO for catching the single ceremonial salmon needed for the ceremony. Chief Gladstone had notified DFO in advance of his intention to catch one ceremonial fish but apparently, DFO decided that only fish caught for funerals are considered legitimate ceremonies. It is unclear why they decided to omit the First Salmon Ceremony which is integral to the culture of the Sto:lo people, and is intended to show respect for the salmon. The ceremony is held when the first salmon of the season is brought back from the river. It is then shared with everyone, reflecting the importance of the salmon to the entire community. After the salmon meat is eaten, the bones of the fish are returned to the river. This is to show respect to the salmon people. If the ceremony is not performed, and the fish not shared, it was said that the fisher would experience bad luck for the rest of the year and the salmon run may not be as strong.
Given the record low returns of wild salmon this year, the ceremony is more important than ever, and prohibiting it in such a heavy-handed manner represents cruel harassment of local First Nations. WSDA in solidarity with Chief Robert Gladstone
The Wild Salmon Defenders Alliance was proud to stand with Chief Robert Gladstone, at the Chilliwack Courthouse on Feb. 15/18 to defend the right of First Nations to hold the sacred First Salmon Ceremony. The local Sto:lo chief was charged March 2015 with contravening the Fisheries Act by catching one salmon for the ceremony during a closed season, despite the Supreme Court of Canada Sparrow decision which asserted that Aboriginal rights, such as fishing, that were in existence in 1982 are protected under the Constitution of Canada. We have learned that others, including a fisherman from Kwantlen First Nation, have also been charged by DFO for catching the single ceremonial salmon needed for the ceremony. Chief Gladstone had notified DFO in advance of his intention to catch one ceremonial fish but apparently, DFO decided that only fish caught for funerals are considered legitimate ceremonies. It is unclear why they decided to omit the First Salmon Ceremony which is integral to the culture of the Sto:lo people, and is intended to show respect for the salmon. The ceremony is held when the first salmon of the season is brought back from the river. It is then shared with everyone, reflecting the importance of the salmon to the entire community. After the salmon meat is eaten, the bones of the fish are returned to the river. This is to show respect to the salmon people. If the ceremony is not performed, and the fish not shared, it was said that the fisher would experience bad luck for the rest of the year and the salmon run may not be as strong.
Given the record low returns of wild salmon this year, the ceremony is more important than ever, and prohibiting it in such a heavy-handed manner represents cruel harassment of local First Nations.